Five Tips For Making The Perfect Cutoff Denim Shorts

share it

Have you ever ruined a pair of jeans trying to make the perfect cutoff shorts? You’re not alone. To never fail at this super simple DIY project, we are sharing five tips that are sure to guide you in the right “I-want-her-denim-shorts” direction.

Scroll through to learn our secrets!

1. Buy a pair of jeans two sizes too big.

Next time you hit up your favorite vintage shop, try looking for a pair of jeans that are around two sizes too big, the extra room will create the most flattering and loosely lived-in pair of cutoffs.

2. Remember to measure the inseam.

It’s key to measure the inseam of your denim to determine your best length. You typically want to leave about 3” at the inseam, but you can go longer or shorter depending on what works on you. This is where most DIY disasters happen; you quickly chop your jeans without keeping in mind that the inseam needs to be a smidge longer to create a natural and appropriate angled look. So remember: determine the length of your inseam and then cut at angle to make the outer seams a bit shorter.

3. Draw your desired hemline with chalk.

It may be tempting to just hack away, but once you’ve figured out your ideal length, use a piece of chalk to draw a guideline for a foolproof even and not-too-long-not-too-short hemline.

4. Create the perfect fray.

Once you are happy with the length of your shorts, it’s time to focus on the fray. This process is simple; all you need to do is run a pair of pinking shears at the edge of your shorts. Voilà: you now have an effortless, perfectly unraveled frayed edge.

5. Wash and dry before wearing.

Finally, you want to make sure to wash and dry your cool new cutoffs before wearing them. This last step will ensure that your shorts have that covetable vintage vibe.

Do you have any tips for creating the perfect cutoff denim shorts? Let us know in the comment section below.